Scaphiopus couchii

A newly laid Couch’s spadefoot egg can develop into a tiny land-dwelling toadlet in just one to two weeks.
 
Photo Credit: Geoffrey A. Hammerson
Scaphiopus couchii
Common Name: Couch's spadefoot
Other Common Names: Couch spadefoot
Animal Guild: Amphibian
Class > Order > Family: Amphibia > Anura > Scaphiopodidae
What does the species look like?

Adults: Have a single hard, black, sickle-shaped spade on each hind foot. They can often reach up to 6-7 cm, rarely up to 9 cm. 

Mature males: Greenish-yellow with scattered dark spots. During the breeding season, they have dark patches on the inner three toes.

Breeding call: A croaking “yeow.”

Females: Greenish-yellow with variable dark marbling.

Larvae: The backs of tadpoles are usually bronze, dark brown, or dark gray to black (black in preservative). Their bodies are typically wider in the rear than in the front. Their tail fins are clear with fine, scattered, dark dots and lines that are most numerous in the upper fin. They are usually not more than 3.5 cm in total length.

Eggs: Eggs are black on top, whitish underneath, and have a diameter of 1.3 to 1.6 mm. Each egg is surrounded by one jelly envelope. Adult females deposit eggs as a cluster, a cylindrical mass, or a string that can contain several eggs, sometimes up to 100 eggs.
 
Where is the species found?
States & Provinces
AZ, CA, CO, NM, OK, TX
Distribution

The range of this species extends from southeastern California, east-central Arizona, southeastern Colorado, and central Oklahoma south to southern Baja California, Nayarit, Zacatecas, San Luis Potosi, and northern Veracruz in Mexico.
 

This species prefers dry shrublands, shortgrass plains, mesquite savanna, creosote bush desert, thornforest, cultivated areas, and tropical deciduous forest.
 
General Phenology and Life History

Almost all of their activity occurs during, and shortly after, heavy spring and summer rains. Otherwise, these toads stay buried in the ground. During and after rains, some may migrate several hundred meters (or several hundred yards) between their dry land habitat and water where they breed. Females attach their eggs to plants in shallow water. Eggs and larvae develop quickly, and toadlets leave in just about one to two weeks, if breeding pools do not dry up sooner.

 
Which phenophases should I observe?
Do you see/hear...?
Activity Adults on land
One or more adults are seen at rest or active on land.
More...

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Adults in water
One or more adults are seen at rest or active in water.
More...

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Adults feeding
One or more adults are seen feeding. If possible, record the name of the species or substance being eaten or describe it in the comments field.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Reproduction Vocalizing
One or more individuals are heard vocalizing.

What is the intensity of vocalizing?

  • Single calls: There is space between calls and individuals can be counted.
  • Overlapping calls: Calls of individuals can be distinguished but there is some overlapping of calls.
  • Full chorus: Calls are constant and overlapping.
Mating
A female is seen grasped and held by a male.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Fresh eggs
Eggs are seen being extruded, an egg mass is seen with jelly not expanded to full size, or embryos that are more or less spherical are seen.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Development Dead adults
One or more dead adults are seen.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
What do these phenophases look like?

There is currently no photoguide available for this species. If you'd like help us create one, use the guidance document and species template provided here. Then send it via email to education@usanpn.org when it is complete.